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Zuiko-Digital posted:Thanks guys, I think I'll keep using my android phone and switch to Unicom. Also, I want to come to Shanghai for this goon meat. Where should I stay in terms of hostel? I also want to shop til I drop (for clothing), where's a good place to do this? How much do you want to spend? And how many days? http://www.hotels.com/ho277436/le-tour-traveler-s-rest-youth-hostel-shanghai-china/ This place is decent, somewhat soft mattress for dorm beds. If you are on a budget, you can share a bed with me, I'm staying in a "large bed" room. Other goons might offer their couch, don't quote me on this. As for shopping, just use Vancl. PM wechat?
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Nov 11, 2013 08:12
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mrgoodtrips posted:I'd rather teach adults but it looks like the odds are I'll be teaching kids. Adults are boring as poo poo, dude.
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Nov 11, 2013 10:10
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I thought I hated kids until I taught all ages, adults are parasites.
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Nov 11, 2013 10:49
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mrgoodtrips posted:Few leads so far. English First seems like the one to avoid. Have you heard anything about Shane English? I'd rather teach adults but it looks like the odds are I'll be teaching kids. Shane is going to be just as bad, if not worse. These companies have predatory policies too about how much notice you have to give to quit and get a letter of recommendation. You have to have the letter by the way to get a new work visa in China. Unfortunately it usually ends up being too long of a time period to quit and get a better job at an actual school. Almost like they plan it that way or something.  I've never met anyone in Mainland China who worked a cram school job and liked it. The qualifications for teaching at regular schools and colleges are so low too, with better setups, that I don't know why anyone would choose something like English First other than complete ignorance about how things work over here. This is especially true for certified teachers. I've met and read stuff online from teachers with actual credentials working at these places and I want to slap them for making maybe 1/3 of what they could be making with better benefits and less hours. Who knows, maybe you might get lucky and a college will have a runner over Chinese New Year?
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Nov 11, 2013 11:06
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I got my first university job because one of their foreigners died.
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Nov 11, 2013 12:09
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RocknRollaAyatollah posted:Shane is going to be just as bad, if not worse. These companies have predatory policies too about how much notice you have to give to quit and get a letter of recommendation. You have to have the letter by the way to get a new work visa in China. Unfortunately it usually ends up being too long of a time period to quit and get a better job at an actual school. Almost like they plan it that way or something. I liked my cram school job when I taught. It was a pretty large cram school that focused on Japanese training (and was well regarded here, I know our Japanese FTs were really highly paid and our classes weren't cheap, though.) as well as stuff like math/science/"Gao kao" English, etc... The English department was made up of 7 teachers and was by far the smallest department in the school, but we were generally treated well. Apartments were paid for (and were nice, for Hangzhou anyway), salaries were relatively high and hours weren't bad. There were a few issues, mainly relating to time off and overtime, but since working outside of ESL in China I've found these are more "China" than "Cram school" problems. The owner of our company had been using Japanese FTs since the early 90s, though, so the company was pretty experienced with working with non-Chinese. Also they had a good reputation so kids passing tests, getting good reports from their actual schools was sought after. A student I had (who had stellar English before I ever taught her) won a Zhejiang provincial level English competition and said I was a good teacher, so I got a random 4k bonus one day. Cram schools are generally as good as their management is. Mine was definitely the exception since it was a 20 year old, non-branded school... but they do exist.
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Nov 11, 2013 12:24
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caberham posted:If you are on a budget, you can share a bed with me, I'm staying in a "large bed" room.  Don't let his kindness fool you. He'll insist on being the big spoon.
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Nov 11, 2013 12:44
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RocknRollaAyatollah posted:
There aren't THAT many international school jobs, and that's the only thing I've come across that pays that much. Most of the real school and college jobs you'll find posted publicly are either poo poo, pay half what the language mills pay, or both. edit: If you've got any good leads on something decent that would take a commercial ESL victim/veteran, I'm looking. I think my formerly pretty good ESL employer may be about to implode. VideoTapir fucked around with this message at 14:07 on Nov 11, 2013 |
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Nov 11, 2013 13:54
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You can have my job. Barring a miracle they'll be hiring for my position this spring.
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Nov 11, 2013 14:32
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Take his job so I can tell you to quit it.
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Nov 11, 2013 14:53
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mrgoodtrips posted:Few leads so far. English First seems like the one to avoid. Have you heard anything about Shane English? I'd rather teach adults but it looks like the odds are I'll be teaching kids. Jimmy Little Balls posted:I work at UESTC and we have a couple leaving at the end of this semester for medical reasons who will need to be replaced for february, my boss keeps asking me if I know anyone so pm me and I can give you her contact details.
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Nov 11, 2013 15:13
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You guys do know that if you work at a university, you usually have enough free time that you can tutor on the side and make more money than exclusively tutoring. That way you can get to China pretty easily and then pick and choose who you work for on the side based on their reputation. This is opposed to coming over here and working for an ESL pimp. I don't have any leads at the moment, pm me in about 6 months I might have something. EDIT: I know it's rough coming to China with no context of what's a good job or not and having no idea of if your employer is exploitative or not. Unless you have real credentials and go through a international teaching fair, you're going to have a harder time finding an international school job. Just focus on getting into China legally and a job that lets you transfer pretty painlessly. EF though is not the job for that since they have pretty predatory policies. Also, though university jobs usually pay less, they're a lot more painless than cram schools and still let you pay off some of your debts or obligations while still living relatively comfortably. After you have two years in China under your belt, a lot more doors open up as well. RocknRollaAyatollah fucked around with this message at 00:03 on Nov 12, 2013 |
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Nov 11, 2013 23:38
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I'd heard EF isn't too bad if you're employed in an actual corporate branch (i.e. one owned and operated by the main company) since those are the ones they try to use to promote the brand. Get into a franchisee one though and all bets are off, I've heard pretty much nothing good about them anywhere. I know a couple that were teaching in a Shane school in Tianjin that quite enjoyed it but again the problem with them is they've got some slightly shady contract terms and are pretty loose when it comes to selling franchises so it might be good but odds are the place will be a bit of a nightmare.
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Nov 12, 2013 02:39
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Zuiko-Digital posted:Also, I want to come to Shanghai for this goon meat. caberham posted:If you are on a budget, you can share a bed with me... 
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Nov 12, 2013 04:14
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THE CHINA MEGATHREAD XCLVI: Sunday mornings in bed with Caberham.
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Nov 12, 2013 04:16
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RocknRollaAyatollah posted:EDIT: I know it's rough coming to China with no context of what's a good job or not and having no idea of if your employer is exploitative or not. Unless you have real credentials and go through a international teaching fair, you're going to have a harder time finding an international school job. Just focus on getting into China legally and a job that lets you transfer pretty painlessly. EF though is not the job for that since they have pretty predatory policies. Also, though university jobs usually pay less, they're a lot more painless than cram schools and still let you pay off some of your debts or obligations while still living relatively comfortably. After you have two years in China under your belt, a lot more doors open up as well. Everything that applies to language mills CAN also apply to universities, and more. For instance, one university I interviewed with wanted me to work a schedule that would have put me on their shuttle bus for a minimum of 3 hours per day, possibly 6. I think they were counting on me not knowing how long it can take to go that far in Beijing. Universities aren't automatically better. Also, if you're coming from overseas, the fact that some universities (Beiwai) sell their name to anyone wanting to buy, so you may be led to believe you'll be working for a university but it's a private company that isn't even a franchise, they're just using the name.
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Nov 12, 2013 04:39
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VideoTapir posted:Also, if you're coming from overseas, the fact that some universities (Beiwai) sell their name to anyone wanting to buy, so you may be led to believe you'll be working for a university but it's a private company that isn't even a franchise, they're just using the name. That's actually illegal now. Since September the 1st the new, sharper interpretation of "working" in China means that where you actually work is understood to be your de facto place of work. But goodness yes, due diligence out the wazzoo. [edit] One also has to watch for the "private college" within a university. Which is also very poo poo. GuestBob fucked around with this message at 04:44 on Nov 12, 2013 |
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Nov 12, 2013 04:42
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GuestBob posted:That's actually illegal now. Since September the 1st the new, sharper interpretation of "working" in China means that where you actually work is understood to be your de facto place of work. I mean there are a bunch of schools that are named "Beijing Foreign Studies University Such and Such" or otherwise have Beiwai in the name that aren't actually Beiwai, they're private companies just using the name, and some of them hire foreign teachers. Some of these offer classes for passing Beiwai's test-your-way-to-a-degree tests, at at least two I'm passingly familiar with seem legit. There are kids english schools and such that look from the outside no different from anything else, and IIRC, even kindergartens using the Beiwai name and/or logo. Anyhow, if the company is licensed to hire foreigners, I don't see how it'd be any different from any language mill hiring them, legality-wise. Could you elaborate on the private college thing?
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Nov 12, 2013 04:59
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VideoTapir posted:Anyhow, if the company is licensed to hire foreigners, I don't see how it'd be any different from any language mill hiring them, legality-wise. Ah, I thought you meant that they were unlicensed and/or just using the name for advertising purposes - like, pulling a bait and switch number. A few universities in China are beginning to operate colleges within colleges which are legally and financially distinct from their "parent" (which may or may not have an originating relationship with the "daughter") university. They are run in the same place, may even rent some of the facilities such as library access and, on occassion, teaching staff, but they don't go through the same admissions processes, are universally private businesses and have little to no structured oversight beyond the rather cursory "validation" process - which are mostly instituion internal anyway. They are essentially a corruption powered money pump. There was a story from Jinan recently about one of these places which had apparently duped half of its students into believing they were at the genuine university and when the program collapsed everyone was garment rendingly sad. Several university chiefs have been arrested on corruption charges during the past five years, so maybe instituions are getting a bit more wary about this.
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Nov 12, 2013 05:09
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http://www.danwei.com/university-diploma-scam-in-jinan/ Is this the one you're talking about?
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Nov 12, 2013 05:33
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VideoTapir posted:http://www.danwei.com/university-diploma-scam-in-jinan/ Yo. This one was more overtly illegal than most though. There are ones which are more established and semi-legitemate, in the way that the "partnership programs" with foriegn universities are legitemate (i.e. "Yay! A loop hole in current legislation which allows us to set independent admissions criteria to create a money pump!")
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Nov 12, 2013 06:17
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Tom Smykowski posted:Do people really call it UESTC? That sounds slightly more difficult to say than where I work, SWJTU. Locals call it kejida but that usually gets you a blank look from English speaking folks so they just stick with UESTC, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China is even more of a mouthful though.
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Nov 12, 2013 06:34
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GuestBob posted:THE CHINA MEGATHREAD XCLVI: Sunday mornings in bed with Caberham. At least he takes me out to brunch, hussie!
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Nov 12, 2013 07:32
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tacoman165 posted:At least he takes me out to brunch, hussie! He messaged me on WeChat to have the meet at my place - but who knows what sordid affairs he actually wants to get up to in there..? I agreed before I saw his bed-sharing offer 
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Nov 12, 2013 07:49
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BadAstronaut posted:He messaged me on WeChat to have the meet at my place - but who knows what sordid affairs he actually wants to get up to in there..? I'm sorry I will sleep on the finest mattresses BY HANTING ALL SEASONS 
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Nov 12, 2013 08:48
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 GOON MEET SHANGHAI, NOVEMBER 16 SATURDAY This goon meet ain't Chengdu, we don't flakeContact me wechat (caberham) or PM me, or email [username] [dot] [spam] popular mail rhymes with doodle. Oh and of course, everyone is welcome (but beware of nerd/awkward chat) It's a special 2 parter all day long meet: 2 meets: 1 goon  (A) Afternoon - 2PM, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16: Zhenping lu station, exit, 4 surface sideYes, BadAstronaut is very gracious in opening up his sky palace home for us filthy internet neck beards. There will be food, snacks, beverages : non alcohol like mountain and maybe some wine or whatever booze we can find. Basically, just hang out in the afternoon, play video games, chat, play game of thrones/Pandemic the board game and chill out. Then head out for dinner (B) Dinner- 6:30 PM, SHANGHAI SLIDERS - http://www.shanghaisliders.com/ Recommended by Jimbob. Should be an awesome place. Plus it's the French concession, so I'm sure there are a bajillion places for food or drink as well. Goony buttery roll call
Unknowns?
Goons with bad timing
And whole else did I miss? Anyways, I'm sure it will be fun! caberham fucked around with this message at 08:54 on Nov 12, 2013 |
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Nov 12, 2013 08:48
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Aggh double post
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Nov 12, 2013 08:49
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caberham posted:
God drat it, I'm still pissed we're missing this. Sliders! 
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Nov 12, 2013 08:52
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about 
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There is a private college that pays to use the name of the uni I work at, so it's Southwest Jiaotong University HOPE COLLEGE. Apparently the guy that started it has a bunch of private colleges around Sichuan and/or China. The reason he is famous, according to co-workers, is he was previously a criminal and spent time in jail. Then upon release he became an upstanding citizen and started opening schools. Also he became a millionaire.Jimmy Little Balls posted:Locals call it kejida but that usually gets you a blank look from English speaking folks so they just stick with UESTC, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China is even more of a mouthful though.
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Nov 12, 2013 10:40
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No +1 for me. She's in Nanjing for a conference.
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Nov 12, 2013 10:50
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truavatar posted:No +1 for me. She's in Nanjing for a conference. How convenient. And I suppose next time she's going to be at the dentist, and the next time she's going to have to be at a funeral, and the next time she's out of the country on business? Pfffft. Nothing wrong with admitting you're single, man...
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Nov 12, 2013 10:55
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BadAstronaut posted:How convenient. And I suppose next time she's going to be at the dentist, and the next time she's going to have to be at a funeral, and the next time she's out of the country on business? Pfffft. Nothing wrong with admitting you're single, man... Um. He's married.
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Nov 12, 2013 11:28
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Even mooooore convenient 
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Nov 12, 2013 11:39
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Going to my local doctors for this health check up that is required to live in cheena, wish me healthy!
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Nov 12, 2013 11:43
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Married goons???!!!!
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Nov 12, 2013 11:43
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MrNemo posted:I'd heard EF isn't too bad if you're employed in an actual corporate branch (i.e. one owned and operated by the main company) since those are the ones they try to use to promote the brand. Get into a franchisee one though and all bets are off, I've heard pretty much nothing good about them anywhere. Corporate or not, EF still is a horrible place to work. At a franchise, anything goes and you'll be exploited to poo poo. Corporate is full of loving assholes who think they are English masters because they read an article about teaching theories. My former Director of Studies (who transferred to corporate) spent an entire hour "teaching" us about all of these theories he used to increase the English level of his class. He did 10 weeks of research and was showing us pie charts and all this other hot garbage. He kept mentioning, over and over and over again, about how he dramatically increased the English usage by using new teaching theories. This man was super serious and truly believed his nonsense. The class he used for "research" was a Small Star Blue. It's the class for 1 - 2 year old kids. There were 5 of them. Oh and he taught them ONCE A WEEK and it was the ONLY class he taught. His presentation was the most ridiculous thing I ever witnessed. As soon as he was done, he passed off the class to me because hes a oval office. These kids couldn't even say or understand their own English name. If you love sticking your head up your own rear end then corporate is for you!
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Nov 12, 2013 11:57
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Maybe she's not real. 
truavatar fucked around with this message at 12:08 on Nov 12, 2013 |
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Nov 12, 2013 12:05
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truavatar posted:Maybe she's not real. Oh that would just play RIGHT into your hands, wouldn't it? I bet you're loving this.
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Nov 12, 2013 13:53
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I bought some taco sauce and don't know if there's anything basic I can put it on. I don't have access to wraps or even bread that isn't cake-like and sweet. What can you use delicious Old El Paso hot sauce on in China?
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Nov 12, 2013 14:55
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AfroNinja posted:Corporate or not, EF still is a horrible place to work. At a franchise, anything goes and you'll be exploited to poo poo. Most people I meet from EF are defensive. I'll be like "I heard that isn't a very good place to work?" and they'll go into loving detective mode. "Who said that? Did they actually work here? It's a great place, why did they say that?" All of which makes me think you have to convince yourself it's a good job in order to work there.
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Nov 12, 2013 15:05
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